Closure and removal of nine clothing banks across Wellingborough and surrounding villages
Nine clothes banks across Wellingborough and surrounding villages have been removed.
The banks were installed across Greatwell Homes’ communities in 2022 in partnership with Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL).
Since then, they have saved 104.5 tonnes from going to landfill and generated £5,858 of funds, which Greatwell Homes donated to local community charities and groups, including the Daylight Centre, Wellingborough LIVE and the Wellibus.
But like many charity collectors, SATCoL says it is experiencing challenging market conditions. A combination of global, local and economic pressures has significantly affected the textile reuse and recycling stores meaning SATCoL are no longer able to cover the full cost of running the banks.
John Ross, head of housing and neighbourhoods at Greatwell Homes, said: “We’re proud to have taken on this project which has not only promoted textile recycling across our communities, but also helped us to reinvest nearly £6,000 back into the community.
"Although we’re sad to see these clothes banks go, we are thankful to SATCoL for partnering with us on this project and for all of their support over the last four years.
“We encourage local residents to continue to recycle their textiles which they can do at the remaining clothes banks located at supermarkets.
“At Greatwell Homes, we’re committed to playing our part in protecting the environment and making a positive contribution to our neighbourhoods, so we will continue exploring ways to do this.”
The nine clothing banks were due to be taken away last month (March).
Greatwell Homes is one of the largest housing associations in Northamptonshire, owning and managing around 5,500 homes in Wellingborough, Kettering, Raunds and Northampton.